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Toyota’s first full-size pickup arrived in mid-1999, replacing the mid-size T100. The Indiana-built truck originally featured both regular cab and extended Access cab models, but added a four-door Double Cab version for the 2004 model year. An all-new and beefed-up Tundra lineup arrived for the 2007 model year from their new home in Texas.with a 236-horsepower V6, or optional 270- and 381-horsepower V8s. For 2010, a new mid-range 310-horsepower V8 arrived, followed by an upgrade to 270 horsepower for the V6. Both it and the base V8 came with five-speed automatic transmissions, while a six-speed automatic was mated to the V8. A significantly upgraded Tundra was introduced for the 2014 model year.

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The Lexus IS was inspired by the BMW 3-series and arrived for the 2001 model year. The 300 sedan was joined by the SportCross wagon for 2002. By mid-2005, all-new IS 250 and IS 350 sedans replaced the originals. The 250 had a 204-horsepower V6, while a 306-horsepower V6 came with the IS 350. For 2008, the IS F joined the fleet with a 416-horsepower V8 driving the rear wheels. Retractable-hardtop versions of the IS 250 and IS 350 were introduced for the 2010 model year. The IS 250 used a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters that also came standard in the IS 250 AWD and RWD-only IS 350. An eight-speed automatic was the only transmission for the IS F. After eight model years, the IS line was replaced by all-new IS 250/350 sedans, while the convertibles and the IS F were dropped.

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Mazda’s mid-size sedan arrived for the 2004 model year as the replacement for the long-serving 626 series. The “6” was originally offered as a sedan, but a hatchback was added part way into its second season followed by the Sport Wagon for 2005. An all-new sedan replaced the original Mazda6 for the 2009 model year and carried a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder or an optional 272-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. A six-speed manual transmission as well as a five-speed automatic were available in four-cylinder models, while a six-speed automatic came standard with V6. After five years with very little in the way of updates, a brand new Mazda6 arrived for the 2014 model year.

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The “light-duty” Silverado 1500, along with the nearly identical GMC Sierra, replaced the C/K 1500 (1/2-ton) series for the 1999 model year and continues as General Motors’ most popular vehicle. The Silverado was updated for 2003 and again for 2007 on an all-new chassis. Engine choices consisted of a 195-horsepower 4.3-liter V6 plus V8’s making 295, 315, 367 and 403 horsepower. For 2009, a gas-electric hybrid joined the lineup with 332 horsepower. A four-speed automatic was the sole transmission choice for V6, 4.8-,5.3- and 6.0-liter V8 Silverados, but a six-speed automatic was included when the 403-horse V8 was specified. An all-new Silverado lineup was introduced for the 2014 model year.

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BMW broadened its model range beyond luxury sedans and sporty cars when it introduced the X5 “Sports Activity Vehicle” for 2000. The vehicle featured full-time four-wheel-drive along with significant luxury content. The second-generation X5 that arrived for the 2007 model year was longer and wider so it could accommodate an additional third-row seat. A 260-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine was standard, while a 350-horsepower V8 was optional. A 265-horsepower six-cylinder turbo-diesel was added for 2009, followed a year later by a 555-horsepower twin-turbo V8 in the new X5 M. A 300-horse twin-turbo gasoline six-cylinder became the new base engine for 2011, with a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V8 replacing the original non-turbo 4.8-liter V8. An all-new X5 was introduced for the 2014 model year.

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Toyota’s small sedan has been its anchor model since 1966 and has become the world’s most successful passenger-car brand. With each revision – about every five years or so – Corolla grows in size and power. The tenth-generation Corolla, launched for the 2009 model year, was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that delivered 132 horsepower. Meanwhile the XLE and sporty XRS, which were available for 2009 and 2010 model-years only, came with a 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Either engine was matched with a five-speed manual transmission, or four- or five-speed automatic. The Corolla received a mild makeover for 2011, two years before Toyota replaced the five-year-old design with an all-new edition for the 2014 model year.

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Other manufacturers were quicker out of the gate with their luxury-oriented sport-utility models, but Honda’s upscale Acura division quickly caught up with its very first home-grown effort for the 2001 model year. (The previous Acura SLX was Isuzu-Trooper-based.) The original MDX stayed around for six seasons before an all-new version was launched for the 2007 model year. It featured a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. Other than minor styling and suspension updates and a switch to a six-speed automatic transmission for 2010, the MDX remained essentially unchanged until a new third-generation model was launched for 2014.

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Toyota’s small sedan has been its anchor model since 1966 and has become the world’s most successful passenger-car brand. With each revision – about every five years or so – Corolla grows in size and power. The tenth-generation Corolla, launched for the 2009 model year, was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that delivered 132 horsepower. Meanwhile the XLE and sporty XRS, which were available for 2009 and 2010 model-years only, came with a 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Either engine was matched with a five-speed manual transmission, or four- or five-speed automatic. The Corolla received a mild makeover for 2011, two years before Toyota replaced the five-year-old design with an all-new edition for the 2014 model year.

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Mitsubishi first introduced the Lancer-sedan-based Outlander sport utility vehicle for the 2003 model year as a companion to the larger Montero, Montero Sport and Endeavor off-roaders. The five-passenger, front- and all-wheel-drive Outlander also employed the Lancer’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. An all-new and significantly larger second-generation Outlander was introduced for 2007 and had both four-cylinder and optional V6 powerplants plus an available third-row seat. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) came with the four-cylinder, while the V6 had a six-speed automatic. A major design update for the 2010 model year included an aggressive nose and interior refresh. The Outlander received significant alterations for the 2014 model year.

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The Impala nameplate dates back to 1958. Phased out in the 1980s, it returned as a muscular rear-wheel-drive model from 1994-’96, only to return again for 2000 as a replacement for the front-wheel-drive Lumina sedan. A thorough updating for 2006 included two new V6 engines, displacing 3.5 and 3.9 liters, and the return of the SS model with a 303-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. All three powerplants used four-speed-automatic transmissions. The SS lasted only until the end of the 2009 model year. A 3.6-liter V6 became the sole powerplant for 2012, a year before the big Chevy was relegated to fleet duty, where it currently resides. An all-new 2014 Impala is available for consumer purchase.

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